The need for greater interoperability, better security and cost-efficiency is attracting UK public administrations to a much wider use of Open Source Software (OSS).
Indeed, OSS has several characteristics that fit particularly well the needs of public sector administrations:
- Lower the Cost of Ownership: allowing organisations to share software and know-how and re-use it to build solutions adapted to their needs.
- Open Standards: It can ensure adherence to open standards, thus improving interoperability and equal access to public sector information and services.
- Interoperability: the ability of public sector administrations to communicate easily with their counterparts across the country and with citizens and business
- Innovation: Rather than simply dictating a solution, Open Source solutions give customers the tools to innovate.